Whenever a gang boss is killed in the city, the public fear of something close to a civil war breaking out is very real.
And this weekend - there was some sense of that when Ghost Town under-boss Kendis Flowers was murdered. Now' he's not the boss, but he's considered second in command of a major city gang, so when Flowers was fatally shot to the head early Saturday morning on Mahogany Street, it put police and the public on high alert to brace for widespread retaliation.
But the narrative on this one is not clear: his family has one version of events while police have another. Courtney Weatherburne has more.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Kendis Flowers - he was known as a general of the Ghost Town Crips gang, it's a title recognized and respected on the streets.
But in July of last year, he earned another distinction - as the voice for the Mayflower residents.
Kendis Flowers, Shot and killed
"Right now what we are trying to do is uplift the community, because it's been a while haven't gotten assistance through the areas."
But his endorsement of that community spirit didn't deter a gunman from ending his life early Saturday morning.
Voice of: Aunt
"I hate to see how they chance my nephew out of his life. What he was trying to do was to bring back the gangs to peace and all this what they did to him is unfair."
The report is that Flowers was killed after an altercation he had with another man at Elements Club.
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Our background information indicates that there was some confrontation at a popular night club. This led to where the deceased Mr. Flowers left, it is said that he went to pick up his gun, he left along with his associate in a taxi, and they proceeded to the area where he was subsequently killed. The indication is that he came out, he went after the persons he had the earlier confrontation, his gun for some reason, snapped, it didn't work, and as a result he was shot and killed."
But Flowers' family don't believe that's the whole story, they say that the police is involved.
Voice of: Aunt
"But the police have a lot of cover underneath this thing. All the police men knows what happened and they don't want to say."
The family raised this concern after a picture of his dead body was circulated with a 9 mm in his right hand - resting neatly on his chest. Flowers was left handed. The family believes the gun was planted. But the police say there is no truth to their involvement in Flowers' execution.
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Family members were claiming via social media that police may have been involved in his shooting. However, I can categorically refute and dispute that."
Right now Flowers family and friends simply can't see pass the pain and rage - they sent a frightening message to the culprits.
Voice of: Aunt
"A lot of men is going down for my nephew. He was loved by many and they chance him out of his life for no apparent reason. But all who are involved in this, whether or not involved or involved not - a lot if men are going down for him and they will take lick."
Voice of: Khadijah Barrera, Sister
"My brother told my mom that one day she will cry, but we never knew that it would be the 17th March. But we will cry, but it is who else will cry."
Flowers's associate was also injured - but he has been treated and released. Police are now questioning him - as well as two other suspects.
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